How often do you really fly as a load on a day to day. I mean like when you arent flying what type of work schedule are you on....M-F 730-430 type or shift work. I just submitted my retraining package and hoping that I get approved but my wife wanted to know what my non-flying days were like? Me personally I could care less, as long as I get to fly nahmsayin but could any body shed any light on this?

I can only speak to C-130's on this. On days you fly, your day will actaully start the day before. You are required to have the twelve hours prior to the mission off for crew rest. Most C-130 flights at home station are night flights, so the crew rest will happen after normal duty hours. You fly the next day, showing three or four hours prior to take off. The next day you are generally expected to show up 10-12 hours after the mission is over. I have never seen anything in an AFI that spells it out exactly, but squadrons will have a standard. So you can see the actual flight will involve days before and after the actual mission. Now at most C-130 bases, you will fly three times a week. With the extra days before and after the mission required, there really doesn't leave that much time for office stuff. For your first couple years, that will be your focus. Fly, fly, fly. Get as much experience in your wings as possible.

When they do taper your weekly flying down, a flyer does have duty hours. You will get an additional duty in various offices that require you to come in when your flying schedule permits. They are mostly day shift type stuff, so it is good for the family, but bad for you because you still fly nights and your circadium rythm will be horrible.

Thanks for that....I'll let her know that i can squeeze her in on my non flying days

If she doesn't work, it actually is nice. You will be at home a lot during the mornings and will see her then. If she does work, there will be lots of passing affection from semi-sleep states.